-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A British cruise ship avoided a possible pirate attack in the Indian Ocean on Wednesday when the captain to took evasive maneuvers and alerted naval authorities after the ship 's radar detected an approaching small boat .

The 350-passenger Spirit of Adventure was traveling some 100 miles off the coast of the east African country of Tanzania -- embarking on a two-week trip from Mauritius to Mombasa , Kenya -- when the boat sped toward the ship , said cruise liner spokesman Paul Green .

`` As a precautionary measure -LRB- the captain -RRB- asked the passengers to go to the main lounge , '' Green said .

The passengers stayed in the lounge area for approximately 45 minutes while the captain steered the ship to avoid the approaching boat , which at one point came within a few hundred meters , he said .

No shots were fired and no attempt to board was made , Green added .

Sll cruises traveling in the Indian Ocean provide security briefings for passengers as a matter of policy , he said .

Pirate attacks and subsequent ransoms have become a frequent hazard for those traveling off the east African coast , particularly Somalia , which has had no formal central government since 1991 .

At least 28 vessels and 654 hostages are currently being held by pirates off the Somali coast , according to a statement from the European Union Naval Force .

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A cruise ship avoided a possible pirate attack in the Indian Ocean

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The ship 's radar detected a small boat and prompted the captain to take evasive maneuvers

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At least 28 vessels and 654 hostages are currently being held by pirates